Wilfred James Grosse

Died during D Day Landings, Operation Overlord. Involved in supporting the US Rangers in their attack on the German guns at Pointe du Hoc. Assault Flotilla 522, SS Amsterdam LCAs: 668, 858, 860, 861, and 862 Companies: D, E 2nd Rangers, LCA 914 supplies. Their landing craft, HMLCA 914, was incorrectly directed towards Omaha beach and when they turned to go parallel to the shore towards the point; their craft was swamped by waves and sank. It is unclear how Able Seaman Grosse's body returned to England but there is no recording of death at the GRO. Most likely Able Seaman Grosse was recovered from the sea and transferred to a Hospital Ship stationed off the coast. HMS Prague (Hospital Ship 61) a converted steam passenger ship was stationed off Omaha beach, shuttling 194 stretcher cases and 228 ‘walking wounded’ between the beach head and Southampton. HMS Prague was manned by a British crew and American medical staff. Of the 10 LCA troop carriers, 2 LCA supply carriers and 4 DUKW's assigned to this mission, 1 troop carrier sank (LCA 860), 1 troop carrier was swamped, LCA 914 was swamped and sank, the other supply LCA had to throw its supplies overboard so that they would not sink as well and 1 DUKW was sunk by 20mm cannon fire.
Able Seaman Wilfred Grosse - Son of William and Doris Grosse, of Balderton, Nottinghamshire.
Able Seaman Ronald Church - Son of Philip James Church and Florence May Church, of East Finchley, Middlesex. Died of injuries 8/6/1944 buried Bayeux War Cemetery.
Stoker Donald Harris - Buried Bayeux War Cemetery.
Stoker John McCoy - Buried Bayeux War Cemetery.

Unknown